Switch-operating mechanism.



No. 785,158. PATENTED MAR. 21, 1905.

G. M. DERIGKSON.

-SWITGH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION rum NOV. 25, 190 1.

' 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Wilmess es'v a No. '785,158.

PATENTED MAR. 21, 1905.

G. M. DERIGKSON. SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATIUN FILED NOV. 25, 1904'.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ihvenborz- George MDerickson;

[ WII Z ///////////l// linss es AT T'Y's.

UNITED STATES Patented March 21, 1965.

GEQRGE M. DERICKSON, oFs-T. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SWITCH-OPERATING MAECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 785,158,11atedMarch 21, Application filed November 26,1904. Serial No. 234,192.

citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Switch-Operating Mechanisms, of wliich'the. following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, .in Which Figure 1 is a perspective -view of a portion of the railroad-track, showing a portion of the siding or switch with my invention applied. Fig. 2 is' a side elevational view of a portion of the switch-bar and the connector-bar, the connection between the switch-bar and connector-bar being shown in section. an enlarged cross-sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4; is an enlarged detailv perspective view of one of the combined rail lOis a detail perspective view of'the bellcrank lever for connecting the protector-bar to the switch-bar. 1

This invention relates to switch mechanisms for railways, and one of the objects thereof is to provide a switch mechanism which can be automatically operated to close an open switch, so as to pervent a train on the main track from entering the siding, of which the switch forms a part.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the switch-points will be secured against spreading duringthe passage of the car or train from the main track onto the siding, or vice versa.

A still further object is to provide means .by the switch-points will be held against opvantages thereof.

Fig. 3 is i the rigid rail2 and the switch-point 2. sivitch-points 1 and 2 are connected by a cause the bar ,4 to slide in the bracket 7, as

' whereby the switch-points may be automatically locked against operation while the tripping mechanlsm 18 being set.-

Another ob ect is to provide means where-- eration when a car-wheel is on one of the rails between the trip and one of the switchpoints.

. Otherobjects and advantages, as well as the novel details of construction, of my invention will bereferred to more specifically hereinafter, it being understood that minorchanges in the form, proportion, and details may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the ad- In order to properly illustrate the application of my invention, I have shown a portion of the main track, including the rigid rail 1 and the switch-point 1*.

The

switch-bar 3r.

.45 I designates the connecting-bar, wh ch 1sv rotatably connected to the switch-bar 3 by .7

the head 5, rigid on said bar 4, and which loosely engages the socket 6, fixed on the bar 3. The bar 4: is supported by a bracket 7, through which said bar 4 projects, and. spaced away a suitable distance from the bracket 7 is a collar 8, against which one 'end of an 'ex'pansiom spring 7" abuts, the opposite end of the spring abutting against the bracket'i, so the expansibility of the spring will have a tendency to will be more fully explained hereinafter.

At a suitable point' to one side of the track is a switch-stand 9, having a vertical crankshaft 10, adapted to be turned by the handle 11, which handle may be tripped into any one of a plurality of notches 111 to hold the shaft against movement. The crank 12 of the shaft 10 is connected to the connecting-bar 4: by a sleeve 13, havinga longitudinal slot 14 therein, at'the respective ends of which are notches 15 and 15. The sleeve 13 surrounds the bar 4 for a portion of its length, and on the bar The siding includes switch-points, and preferably beside one of the main rails of the track, is a yielding switch trip. In the formillustrated in the drawings this switchtrip is illustrated as comprising a core-of rubber 17, having an upper and'lower facing of metal, (designated by the numerals 18 and 19, res 'icetively.) The and 2l,,' 'the cap 21 being hinged to a plate 22 on one of the ties through the mediumof the .hinge' member 23. This trip isillustrated as .just described on account of the convenience in constructing it; but I would have it under stood that I do not limit myself to'this exact form','as it is apparent that there are other forms of yielding trips which may be utilized with more or less efficiency The cap 20 of the trip is connected to a tripping-bar 24, which is secured to an-arm 25 on the connecting-bar 4.

Arranged adjacent tothe web of one ofthe rails (in this instance the rail '2) is what I term a protector-bar, (designated by the reference-numeral 26.) This bar is supported in position by the'links27, having fixed pivotal connections withthe castings 28, carried by the flange of the rail.- The protector-bar is also connected to the switch-bar 3 by a bellcrank lever .28, the'angle of the lever being pivoted'to one side of the track, and the arm engaging the protector-bar having-an inclined elongated slot 29, through which a pin in the slot31 of the bar engages.

Arranged on suitable ties and forming chairs for the rail 2 are the castings 32. These castings .32 have base-flanges 33, -on which the flanges of the rail rest, and projecting from theflanges 33 are upstanding web-braces 34,

which snugly hug the rail-webs and the con- 'tiguous portions of the tread and flanges of said rail. The brace 34 is provided with a longitudinally-disposed groove 35', in which is an angular interlocking rib, preferably of inverted V shape, the point of which is adapted to engage with either series of notches '36 or 37 in the protectorrbar 26.

' connection comprises a branch rod 38, rigid The tripping-rod 24 is connected to the pro tector-bar by means of a yielding connection. (Illustrated in detail in Fig; 9..) This yielding with the rod 24 and having a threaded connection with a sleeve 39, loosely fitting over! one .end of the link-rod 40, pivotally connected to the protector-bar '26. The sleeve 39,is provided with a slot 41, engaged by a lug or projection 42 onthe end of the link-rod 40, and

interposed between the respective ends of the rod 38 and the link-rod 40 is an expansion-T spring 43, inclosed by the sleeve 39 and having a tendency to exert pressure against the link-rod 40, so that the lug. or-projection 42 will normally be adjacent to the endof'the slotremote from the rod 38. Hence it will I .65 be apparent that before thelink-rod 40 may brace 32, and as this protector-bar is cou- 3 "to permit the switch to be closed. ends of the trip are capped by the caps 20 10 be moved the sleeve 39 must travel a distance approximately equal to the length of the slot 41; Thus the blow on the trip will be absorbed by the spring to the extent that the link-rod 40 and the protector-bar 26 will not be actuated .until the lug 16 on the rod 4 is thrown out of engagement with the notch 15 The lug or projection 16 is preferably rectangular in cross-section, and the notches are correspondingly formed, so as to prevent slipping. lug 16, together with the cooperating part of the sleeve 13, constitutes a trigger mechanism whereby the switch may be permitted to close when thetrip is operated.

Hinged at one side of the rail2 is a device for moving the trip into inoperative position even though the mechanism is set to operate the switch. This device is illustrated as comprising a plate 44, connected to the castings 45 by the-links 46. The brackets 47, carried by saidv device 44, support pins 47, around which'are coiled springs 48, one end of each of which abuts against one face of the device. 44, the opposite end of dach spring being attached to one of the-links 46, so that the tendany of the device 44 will be to rest against the side of the rail-tread. This device 44 is in the nature of a curved plate the upper edge of which extends slightly abovethe rail-tread and in such a position that it may be moved away therefrom through the medium of the treads of the wheels. The device 44 is connected to the rod 24 by means of the linked arms 48 and 49 on the rod 24 and the plate '44, respectively. In order that that portion of the rod 24 which is attached to the trip may turn, I have provided a coupling 50, similar to the coupling shown in Fig. 3, for the connection between the bar 3 and the rod 4.

The operation of the device is as follows: It is to be assumed that the normal positior of the mechanism herein described is with the switch closed, the parts being shown in Fig. 1

in the abnormal position, or with the parts'set This too

to operate the switch. Referring to Fig. 1, it I will he assumed that aitrain great has entered the siding on the rails' 2 and that the switch has been left open through accidentor otherwise. Thenext'train coming toward the switch will operate the trip through the me-' dium of the wheels of the first car or engine to push the rod 24, causing the connecting-bar 4 to turn, so that the triggermechanism will be "operated by throwing the lug 16 out of ennected to the switch-bar through the medium of the bell-crank lever spreading of the switchpoints will be positively prevented. The movement imparted to the protector-bar 26 willbe an upwardly-swinging movement.

This is due to the link connection between the castings on. the flange of the rail 2 and the bar 26. The peculiar construction of the slot-andoperated. Suppose it is desired to again open the switch. I The lugor projection 16, which will have entered the notch when theswitch was tripped, must be released from this notch 15, and this is accomplished by raising the handle 11, -which has a flexible connection with a releasing mechan sm toone side of the sleeve 13. Thisflexiblc connect on is illus-- trated as com prising a chain 5l-,'passing around v the pulleys '52 and 53 and'attached at one end to a pivoted spring-controlled lever 54, operating a bolt 55, so that the end of said bolt will contact with the lug and move it out of the notch, whereby the 'sleeveunay be retracted to cause the'lug to engage in the'notch 15. In-order to prevent the bolt from moving thelug out of the notch 15 ,l provide a bridge- 3 it is desired to enter the sid ng, as soon as the piece 56, (see Fig. 3,) wherebythe lugwill be amply protected. If the switch-isclosed and first wheel of the train or car has passed bemovement to the portion ofthe rod 24 imme-; diately connected to the trip; so as to insure a an outwardly-swingingmovement of the trip,

- sitlon.

' mechanism and close the switch. .5

yond the trip and between the trip and the -'s\vitch'-points the mechanism may be set, as 35 shown in Fig. 1, so that the switch will be in its open position to permit the car'or cars. to pass into'thesiding. "During thetime that the first car is traveling from the trip tov the switchpoint a wheel will at all times be in contact with the plate 44. so that the outward movement which will be imparted thereto will also impart whereby it will be moved out of operative p0 Therefore it will be seen that the wheels fpllowing those on the first car cannot contact with the trip to operate theswitcli Movement of the switch-points will be prevented by the protector-bar 26. the first series of notches 36 ofwhich engage with theangular portion of the rail-braces, and owingto the peculiar connection between the protector-bar 25 and the switch-bar 3 it will be impossible for the switch-points to move unless the protector-bar I 26 swings np'above the tread of the rail until the last car-wlieel-haspassed.- into the;siding beyond the switch-points. This is made possible owing tothe extreme length of the protector-bar', which extends beyond the switchv points 1 and beside the siding-rail 2.

From the-foregoing it will be seen that after'the first wheel has'passed *beyond the trip and between the trip and the switchf points the switch maybe set' for automatic operationwithout fear-of the switches being thrown by the train entering the siding at that time. The advantage of this will be apmust be located a considerable distance in ad- =vance of the switch-points, so that by so arranging. the. switch mechanism the entire mechanism can be set from the switch-stand matic operation 'withoutfurther attention. If it is desired to enter the main track from the siding and then back down the track in a direction remote from the trip, this can bedone and as the train passed onto the main track the wheels of the last car would contact-with the trip to throw the switch, so that the train could proceed down the track without necesswitchman or brakeman.

In setting the mechanism the lug or pr0- jection 16 will be caused to positively engage in the notches 15 or 15 in either the set or released positions on account of the tendency of the spring 7 to uncoil, this being prevented, of course, byth'e engagement of the lug 16 with the slot 14. p It'is obvious that any or all of the parts able housing. 5

Having thus described the invention, whatis claimed as new, and desired to be securedby Letters Patent, is 1. A switch-operating mechanism havinga switch-operating means, a longitudinaily-ar. ranged bar located beside one of the rails and normally extending above the same for coopcrating with the car-wheel for temporarily rendering the tripping means inoperative, one edge ofsaid bar being provided. with notches, and means beneath the bar for engagement with the notches; substantially as described.

2. A switch-operating mechanism having a curved tripping means provided with an inherent yielding tendency, said tripping means -ing adapted to be depressed downwardly, and v means for automatically rendering the. tripping .means inoperative when a car-wheel is on the rail between the tripping means and the switch-point; substantially as described.

3. A switch-operatingmechanism having a. yielding switch-tripping device alongside of one of the rails, said tripping device being bowency, said tripping device being pivoted, and meansfor automatically moving said tripping device away from the side of the rail and out of operative position; substantially as described.

tripping means distant from theswitch-point,

L a bar located beside atrack-rail and normally parent-When it is'understoodthat-the trip.

[before the first car ofthe train has really en "tered the siding, and it will be ready for au'tomay be protected from the elements by a suit- 'b'eing distant from the switch-point and be-' by setting the mechanismas shown in Fig. 1, I

sitating attention to the mechanism by the shaped and having an inherentyielding tend 4:. A switch-operating mechanism having a inoperative when acar-wheel is on the rail be? tween the tripping -mea-ns and the switchpoint, and means for moving the tripping. ,means away-from the side of the rail to pre- I vent operation thereof; substantially as de-- scribed.

versely-sl id'able' switch-bar, means for preven ting movement of the switch-bar including a bar connected to the switch-bar and'having a vertically-swinging movement, said bar havasdescribed.

ing'notches in its lower edge, and devices'for engagement with the notches to temporarily prevent movement of said bar; substantially 6. A switch mechanism versely-slidableswitch-bar,means for prevent ing movement of said bar includinga bar connected to the switch-bar and having a longi-v tudinal and vertical movement, said bar ,hav-' ing notches in its lower edge, railbraces,'rails supported by said braces, and 'means 'on the. braces for engagement with the notches in the bar; substantially as described.

7 A switch mechanism including a switch bar,a' trip for actuating the switch-bar, means for preventing movement of the switch-bar including a bar having notches in its lower edge, rail-braces, means onthe rail-braces for engage'mentwith the notches inth'e bar, and a de- 8. A switch mechanism including a transversely-slidableswitch-bar, means for prevent- .ingmovement of the switch- -bar'including a bar having notches in its lower edge, means beneath the second named harforengagement with the notches, and a yielding connection between the second-named bar and the trip; substantially as described.

switch-barand movable into two positions for alternately permitting and preventing movement of the switch-bar, and devices for interlocking engagement with the bar to' hold it against movement in either of the two positions; substantially as described. 1Q v '10. A switch-mechanism including a trans.- versely slida-ble switch-bar, a trip for actuating the switch-bar, a notched bar connected to the switch-bar and movable into two positions for alternately permitting and preventincluding" a transw '9. A switch mechanism including a trans-. versely slidable 'sWitch-bana'trip foractuating the switch-bar, a notched bar connected-to the to. the switch-barv and movable into two posi-' tions for alternately permitting and prevent-* 1 ing movement'of the switch-bar, and devices for interlock-ing engagement with the bar to hold it against movement ineither of the two positions, said devices'comprising a casting 5. A switch mechanism including a trans--- each operation. and an outwardly-movable deviee'connected to-the tripto move" it to an inoperative positiom substantial-ly as described. -13. A switch mechanism including a transversely-slidableswitch-bar, a trip for actuating the switch-bar, and an outwardly-mov able-device connected to the tripto move it to an inoperative position; substantially as described.

' 14. A- switch mechanism including a tripping means remote from the switchpoints, means for preventing actuation of the'trippingmeans, said second-mentioned means extending from a point between the tripping means and the switch-points to a point beyond "*theswitchr points, and an outwardlymovvice adjacent to the'side of one of the track: rails-and connected to the trip to move it out-' wardly in an inoperative position; substantially as described.

able device connected to the tripto move it to an inoperative position; substantially as described. p

15. A switch'mechanism including a trippingvmea'ns remote from theswltch-poin'ts, means for preventing actuation of. the tripping means, saidsecond-mentioned means comprisinga bar, the'edge of which is adapted to contact with a Wheel'on the rail and-extending from a point between the tripping means and the switch-points to a point beyond the switch -.points, and an outwardly mov- 4 able deviceconnectedto the tripto move it to an inoperative position; substantially. as de-.

"scribed.

16. A switch mechanism including a'trip ping means remote from the switch-points,

and a bar for preventing actuation of the tripping means, said barhaving notches on one .edge', and notch-engaging devices below the bar, the upper edge of saidbar being arranged to contact with a car-wheel; substantially as 'descr.ibed.

v 17. A switch mechanism including a tripping means remote from the switch-points, and a bar having. connections with the switchpoints to prevent movement thereof, said bar being yieldingly'connected' to the trip; substantially as described. z

1 8. A switch mechanism including a tripping means remote from the switchpoints, a spring-actuated means for operating the switch-points, a trigger mechanism cooperating with the spring-actuated means and cooperating with the tripping means, and a resetting mechanism operable before the switch mechanism is set, to reset the trigger mechanism; substantially as described. n

' 19. A switch mechanism includinga springoperated means for closinga switch,.a trigger mechanism for throwing the spring-operated means, a Switch-stand including a shaft connected to the trigger mechanism, a handle for operating the shaft, and a resetting mechanism connected to the handle and operable before the switch mechanism is set, to reset the trigger; substantially as described. 7

20. A switch mechanism including'a springoperated means for closing a switch, a trigger mechanism for throwing the spring-operated means, a switch-stand including a shaft connected to the trigger meclianism,:a handle'for operating the shaft, and a resetting mechanism operable before the switch mechanism is -set, to reset the trigger, mechanism, said resetting mechanism comprising a belt, a springcontrolled lever and a flexible connection between said lever and the handle; substantially as described.' V

22. A switch-operatingmechanism including a switch=point-inoving bar, a rocking and longitudinally-slidable rod connected to said bar, and means for. actuating said rod; substantially as described.

23. A switch-operating mechanism includ longitudinally slidable, spring pressed rod connected to said bar, and means for actuat ing said rod; substantially as described.

24. A switch-operating mechanism including a switch-point-moving bar, a rocking and longitudinally-slidable rod connected to said bar, means for actuating said rod, a notched andslotted sleeve surrounding a portion of said rod, meanson the rod for preventing movement thereof with relatioii to the sleeve,

and means for moving the rod in thesleeve; substantially as described.

25. A switch-operating mechanism includ ing a switch-bar, a spring-pressed rod connected to the switch-bar and having rocking and longitudinal movements, a sleeve fitting over one end of the rod and having a'longitudinal slot with terminal notches, a projec tion on the rod movable in the slot and engageable with either of the notches, an operating means connected to the sleeve, means contactable with the projection on the rod to disengage it from one of the notches, and a bridge-piece over the other notch; substantially as described.

26. Aswitch mechanism including aspringpressed bar connected to the-switch-points, a trigger mechanism for preventing operation of the spring-pressed bar, a trip for the trigger mechanism, a rod connecting the trip and trigger mechanism, a protector-bar for preventing movement of the switch in one position .of the bar, anda yielding connection between the rod and the bar; substantially as described. l I I In-testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses, this 22d day of November, 1904.

. 'GEORGE M. DERICKSON. Witnesses:

B. F. FUNK,

,GEORGE BAKEWELL. 

